CEFR C1

distrain

verb

Meaning

To seize a person's property legally as security for a debt or to enforce payment.

Examples

The bailiff was authorized to distrain the assets of the defaulting company.
If you don't pay your taxes, the government can distrain your property.

Synonyms: seize, confiscate, impound

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distrain (C1)

verb

Pronunciation: /dɪˈstreɪn/

Definition

To seize a person's property legally as security for a debt or to enforce payment.

Examples

The bailiff was authorized to distrain the assets of the defaulting company.
If you don't pay your taxes, the government can distrain your property.
The law allows creditors to distrain on movable property to recover unpaid debts.

How to Use distrain

distrain on (prepositional phrase): To seize property as security for a debt. — "The bank can distrain on the borrower's assets if payments are missed."
distrain for (prepositional phrase): To seize property in order to obtain payment of a debt. — "The court ordered the sheriff to distrain for the outstanding taxes."

Synonyms of distrain

Words with a similar meaning to distrain:

Antonyms of distrain

Words with the opposite meaning to distrain:

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